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thinking about year two

This school year hasn’t even come to a close yet, but my mind is already racing with things I need to do to get ready for August when we start our second official year of homeschooling. I’ve learned a lot over this past year and high on the list is pick the right curriculum. I should say curricula as I haven’t seem to find a one size fits all ready made program. Mind you I’m not holding my breath.

I have a ton of respect for those out there that can put together a whole school year worth of activities based on reading books, field trips and pinterest. Not me man — I need structure. I’m taking some leaps this year with some of our subjects. I sure hope it works out. So here’s the plan for next year based on the classical education model.

These pretty much speak for themselves. I’m not expecting the boys to get all the ins and outs of the plots, but just introduce them to great literature. Hopefully as they get older, they will revisit the classics.

I considered switching to another history program, but Thomas enjoys our reading time together and so do I. We supplement with other books when he gets really interested in a subject like Romulus and Remus. I think we read just about every book we could find on the subject. King Minos and the Minotaur was another one. I think we’ll stick with the series and perhaps go with something else when we start at the beginning of time again.

We kind of did a little music last year, but nothing formal. I felt like having a full load for Thomas the first year may be a bit much. This I think he can handle if we work on it once a week. He already knows a ton because of his orchestra fetish, so it should be totally enjoyable for him rather than work.

Halfway through the year I found this series. LOVE IT. Read from the reader or watch the video, read an actual verse from the Bible, answer some questions and maybe color a picture or play a game. Hurray — no more journalling. The last thing I want is for our gospel study time to be boring. The gospel of Jesus Christ is awesome and wonderful. So should our study of it be.

We’re going to continue along with the seminary schedule. This year we covered the New Testament so we’re moving on the the Book of Mormon. Too bad they don’t have Book of Mormon Veggie Tales. Just kidding — well sorta.

Physical Education

I know there are programs out there, but I think at this point I am just going to stick with playing outside and having fun. We’re pretty active as a family and with the older kids all in sports, the little ones have been exposed to a lot of different games, and of course, they think they can play just as well as the big kids.

There we have it. Next phase is to organize everything into a manageable schedule — that’s the fun part (I’m invoking Satan’s humor better known as sarcasm). It seems like a lot doesn’t it? Maybe I’m just a wimp. Most days I totally love it. Other days I have to trust myself that we truly felt like this was what Heavenly Father wanted for our family. We are so blessed to have this opportunity.